August 18, 2014

Something in this pantry just doesn't belong...

This is the year the kids are learning more chores. I am letting our housekeeper know, and the kids will be doing a lot more around the house. It means a lot more work for me, of course. I know the kids won't see it that way, but...that is the nature is kids, is it not? 

"I can reeeaaaach!!!"

She found a mirror. Don't pretend you don't do the same thing when no one is looking...

August 12, 2014

Pulling into Manson- a smoky sunset over Lake Chelan. The wildfires have cast a permanent haze over this part of the state. 

Yeah, a picture of my lunch. I was trying an elimination diet, to pinpoint some tummy troubles. My sweet husband told me he would pack me a lunch and bring it along when he met us at the beach. He concocted this super yummy salad, full of local greens and fruit, with a delicious vinaigrette he cobbled together from items in our rental's pantry. Love that man! (Also? Wheat and I are not on speaking terms right now. Lame.) 

Post dinner baseball practice with uncles and friends. 

Boo Boo and Siu Jeun, getting their Chalk Artist on after dinner. 

My love and I, at the beach. 

Boo Boo, in her happy place. 

Boo Boo at sunset. 

August 7, 2014

What a day. Considering how busy it felt....you would think I would have a lot more done!! We are preparing for our annual Family Reunion, and that means I need to prepare my family of five to live Elsewhere. For a week. 

I spent all day working on this project. Am I packed? No. Did I do the laundry so I COULD pack? No. Did I check what the kids "packed" days ago? No. 

I invited my sister over and made her kids empty out my fridge. I mentally packed and re-packed my bags, so when it was Go Time, I could FLY. And I made enough side dishes to feed an army (in an attempt to empty out my crisper drawer) for a reunion of a different sort! 

When I was a wee lass, in kindergarten, my family played host to a young man from Japan. Shoichi was one of our all-time favorite exchange students. And today, 27 years later, he was able to return and visit! It was not his first visit in all that time, but the last time he was here was about 8 years ago, so he had never met the bulk of my off-spring. His 9 year old girl was a bit shy at first, but after a belly full of KFC, and a small romp with some neighborhood dogs, she disappeared with Ernie (9), Ming Wai (7), Mimi, and SJ (both 5). Literally. They were playing hide and seek and none of the parents could leave the park. Ha! 

Such a fun evening - his wife and baby boy are also ridiculously wonderful - and a fantastic way to end a breezy summer day. 

8/6/14

Sometimes, unplanned days are the best ones! The kids were sniffly and sleepy this morning, so we didn't go to my Wednesday Zumba class. Instead, we went to the library to return books, and then I made a spur of the moment decision to take the kids to the children's museum. I LOVE our little local museum! 10 minutes away, small enough where nobody gets lost, and the exhibits are always changing. Today, we got extra lucky- a neighbor (Ming wai's best friend) happened to be heading to the museum today as well! They have a little girl BooBoo's age, and all five kids played together happily for about an hour before I had to leave to give BooBoo her nap. My neighbor asked if she could keep Ming Wai with her, and I agreed. 

I took SJ home, and let BooBoo take a nap. SJ and I had lunch (turns out he hates spinach and mushroom omelets. Who knew??!) and I got some work calls done. (I've just started as a Health Coach. Best job, ever.) 

By the time Ming Wai came home a few hours later, it was time for dinner. I tried to get fancy tonight. It was SUPPOSED to be brown rice, cauliflower "tater tots", Kung pao shrimp, and dry fries garlic green beans. 

Dinner would have been better if I hadn't named the recipes first. 

The rice was good. The "tater tots" were tasty, wouldn't hold their shape and ended up just cooked in a pan, like scrambled eggs. The shrimp was nothing like Kung pao, but was everyone's favorite dish. The green beans were practically raw, and had no garlic flavor, but fresh beans are nice too. 

So. Oh well. I tried! 

After dinner I ran out the door to meet Lo Gung at the temple to do Sealings. 

All in all, an excellent Wednesday!